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Additional
information on
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Nikon
(Nippon Kogaku K K) Nikkor-P.C
1:2.0 f=8.5cm (RF Nikkor 85mm f/2.0)
Telephoto lens for Nikon S-Mount Rangefinder cameras - Part III
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Nippon
Kogaku K.K. Nikkor-P
1:2 f=8.5cm
lens for Nikon Rangefinder cameras - Post Occupation period models Year Introduced:
1953; Discontinued: probably 1955/6
| Models of the
Nikkor-P released towards the end of US Military occupation period were more easier
to address. From here onwards, you can separate the models into three major groups.
The early series can be easily distinguished from the earlier MIOJ version via the
change of "Nippon Kogaku Japan" from "Tokyo". The series involved
were still being produced with an all-chrome finishing. Between 1953~1956 Nikon had
decided to implement some changes to their popular series of Nikkor lenses with a
new look. That was when some of the lenses with a black barrel were began to surface.
This general lens updating program had involved many models but mostly it was confined
to cosmetically rather than implementing radical change internally with optical formula(s).
The black barrel models was again went through another last round of facelift towards
end of its production cycle which was aimed to improve the refining the aspect of
lens handling. Regardless the changes, as for this favorite telephoto lens for many
Nikon photographers, the optical design of the Nikkor-P 85/2.0 has remained literally
unchanged throughout, where the original 5 elements in 3 group design was retained
amidst all these series of updates occurred its last decade of production. |
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Tecnically, the
Occupation era ended in September, 1951 and it was about the same time where the
24
x 34 format Nikon S
was introduced as replacement model for the Nikon M. Nikkor lenses produced between
the Nikon S and 1953's Nikon S2 era with the true 24 x 36 format
can be a little muddy. But by the time Nikon S2 was released, most of the Nikkor
had already being updated as "Nippon Kogaku Japan" where the "NK Tokyo"
was dropped. The change didn't just limited to the change of name in the lens data.
Nikon had also took the change and incorporated some changes to improve its features.
From here onwards, eventhough the lens barrel still share most of the physical appearance
when you look from a distance, but the Nikkor-P 85/2 lens group have these couple
of features installed:
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1) The lens data
indicates "Nippon Kogaku Japan".
2) The aperture diaphragm now has been extended with f/22 and f/32 and this is the
most prominent change among all on the lens side.
3) The aperture control have a clickstop mechanism which provides a more postiove
feel.
4) An infra Index (R) is provided.
5) The distance / DOF index with lens mounting index is colored.
6) No more "Made in Occupied Japan" (MIOJ) or "Made in Japan"
inscription and/or engraving in any part of the lens. *
Although these lenses may not be carrying MIOJ and/or Made in Japan anymore, but
EP sign on lens may be still available.
<<<--- Size and dimesnion compariosn between Nikkor-P.C 85mm
1:2 and Nikkor-Q.C
135mm f/3.5 RF
coupled to LEICA (LSM)
Credit: Image courtesy
of Mr. Peter Coeln from LEICA
Shop®, Austria who also operates a popular
Westlicht Auction House. Image Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Please respect
the visual property of the contributing photographer.
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No one knows if these changes were inspired by the advices offered professional inputs
from photographers such as David D. Dungan etc. as they were happening almost at
the same time with the story went along but one thing is for sure, Nikon had taken
positive steps during this stage to upgrade their lens specification and features
to serve the photographers need. I am just basing on previaling episodes happened
during that time to make a guess. |
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On the other
hand, even if the legend had some truth in it, I guess other photographers may just
only wanted to give it a try on their Leica and Contax by getting a lens for their
camera to test it out rather than being so convincingly by changing the entire camera
system. So, lenses for other brands could have been picking in sales from this period
too. The Leica SM and Contax mount Nikkor-P 85/2 share virtually identical features
with the Nikon bayonet version update. Thus, other than with an updated designation
of "Nippon Kogaku Japan", the Leica SM (LSM) models was also incoprated
with an extended f/32, f/22 DOF scales alsong with colored R infra index. Due to the different rotational
direction of focusing of Leica from Contax and Nikon, you can easily differentiate
the LSM lens via the position of the R Infra Index. It is placed on the right hand
side beside the distance index. Most of the other basic lens features is remained
the same. Shown at left is a Leica SM model with the customary Nikon made chrome
lens hood attached. As Nikon could be producing the LSM models in batches intermixing
with production of the Nikon Bayonet model, there was no clear indication whether
a reliable serial numbering system can be used to track the LSM units.
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truth in it,
I guess other photographers may just only wanted to give it a try on their Leica
and Contax by getting a lens for their camera to test it out rather than being so
convincingly by changing the entire camera system. So, lenses for other brands could
have been picking in sales from this period too. The Leica SM and Contax mount Nikkor-P.
RELATIVE:- LEICA/LEITZ
85mm lens group of telephoto lenses
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Contax-mount version
Nikkor-P
1:2 f=8.5cm
all-chrome updated version:-
RELATIVE:- Contax/Zeiss 85mm rangefinder lens group of telephoto lenses
As mentioned at the earlier section, the Leica users market can be a vacuum
to Nikon as there was no direct comparing model at the same price category. The Contax
was a different story all together as they have a Zeiss Zonnar 85/2 to defend an
emerging threat from the orient. I guess Nikon previous role as a thrird party label
has suit them well as after all the exposure they had enjoyed, getting a Contax-mount
Nikkor lens for the Contax camera was relatively much easier to do penetration to
the German brand photographers. Further, as Nikon uses the same focusing rotation
with the Contax and most of the control rings on the lens barrel are quite similar
too, this has made adaptation for Contax user easier to use the Nikkor optic on their
cameras too. |
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Overall, even
today the used equipment market may reflect the state of change occuring during that
time, as there are actually more Contax-mount Nikkor 85/2 than LSM version. It was
similar to the likes of Nikon / LSM units after the MIOJ product cycle, EP marked
85/2.0 was also quite common.
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NOTE: If you
notice, Both Nikon and Canon had beagn to relaize the importance of branding, mots
of their lenses had also improved even to the extend of packing.
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previous | NEXT | 3/5 Here comes with a Black Barrel version
of Nikkor-P 1:2 f=85cm Telephoto Lens
Part One
- Early / Variations | Part
Two
- Early LSM/Contax models | Part Three - Chrome barrel f/f32 | Part
Four
Black barrel f/32 | Part Five (Nikkor-S 85mm f/1.5)
W-Nikkor-O 1:4
f=2.1cm | W-Nikkor.C 1:4 f=2.5cm | W-Nikkor.C
1:3.5 f= 2.8cm | W-Nikkor.C 3.5cm lens Group (3.5/2.5/1.8) | Stereo-Nikkor 1:3.5 f=3.5cm | 5cm (50mm) lens group | RF Micro-Nikkor
1:3.5 f=5cm | Nikkor-P.C 1:2
f=8.5cm lens group / Nikkor-S.C
1:1.5 f=8.5cm lens group |
Nikkor-P.C 1:2.5
f=10.5cm lens group / Nikkor-T 1:4 f=10.5cm | Nikkor-Q.C 13.5cm lens group: 135/4, 135/3.5 Early
/ Last Version, 135/4 Bellow lens
| Nikkor-H 1:2.5
f=18cm | Nikkor-Q 1:4 f=25cm
| Nikkor-T 1:4.5 f=35cm | Nikkor-T.C 1:5 f=50cm | Reflex-Nikkor 100cm f/6.3
System Accessories
for Nikon Rangefinder cameras
Optical Finders (4 parts):- Fixed Focal length Finders (index page): 2.1cm,
2.5cm, 2.8cm,
3.5cm, 35cm Stereo,
5cm, 8.5cm, 10.5cm,
13.5cm | Variframe / Varifocal / Sport-frames
| Nikon Reflex Housing
Nikon
S36/S72/S250 Motor Drives
/ S36 Manual |
light meters | Nikon RF Flash/Speedlights | Close-up
photography / Repro Copy Outfit / Nikon Bellow Focusing Device (in progress) | Cases/Compartments | Lens & body caps,
Lens Hoods/shades,
Original Price Lists |
packaging/boxes
Instruction
Manuals
Related info:- Main index page
for Leica/Leitz | Contax/Carl Zeiss | Seiki Kogaku (Canon)
| Message Board | lenses | Message Board | RF cameras
Nikon
RF-Nikkor
lenses
(Rangefinder):- Main Index Page
Nikon
Auto
Focus
Nikkor lenses:- Main Index Page
Nikon Manual
Focus
Nikkor lenses:- Main Index Page
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Index Page of Pictorial History of Nikon SLRs
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